early civilizations in meso- america ch. 11 sec. 2
TRANSCRIPT
Early Civilizations in Meso-America
Ch. 11 Sec. 2
Essential Questions: TEKS WH6.A-B, WH27.B-C
What are the political, social, economic & cultural characteristics of the Mayas, Incas & Aztecs?What impact did the Mayas, Incas & Aztecs have politically, culturally, socially, and economically?What contributions did each have make towards Astronomy, Math & Architectural engineering?
I. The Maya
300-900ad in C. America & S. MexicoBuilt temples, pyramids & complex calendarPolitical & Social structure
City states governed by hereditary ruling class “descended from God”Always at war w/each other; captured became slaves or human sacrifice.video
I. The Maya cont’d
Society: Townspeople (Artisans, officials, merchants), peasant farmers
Men: fighting hunting
Women: homemaking, raising children.
• Religion:-Mayan believed life was in the hands of a divine power. Human sacrifice was natural.
I. The Maya cont’d
Writings and Calendars:Writing system based on hieroglyphics
Spanish conquerors saw this as evil & destroyed almost all books.
Mayan calendar was a complex system of living several worlds.
Spanish destruction of Mayan culture helped end the civilization.
Aztec Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4JabdIKx8s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_wAHvHIntM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f332HpnpgkI&feature=related
II. Aztecs
1100-1500s ad
Est. Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco
The Legend
1325 under attack by another people and driven into a swamp they believe that the legend comes true.
They est. here constructing temples, roadways, houses.
II. Aztecs cont’d
semi-independent territories supported by the Aztec ruler in return for tribute.
Political & Social Structures:
-4 million Aztecs
-Power in the monarch by God assisted by lords & gov’t officials
-Society: Commoners (farmers), Indentured workers (landless labor contracted for work), Slaves (captured in war)
II. Aztecs cont’d
Males @ young age were told to be warriors.
Females @ young age were told to stay at home
They were NOT EQUALS but women could own & inherit property and enter into contracts.
II. Aztecs cont’d
Religion & Culture:
-believed in many gods and the unending struggle between forces of good and evil.
-The creation and destruction of 4 worlds and the birth of the 5th
-Human sacrifice was a form of appeasement.
II. Aztecs cont’d
Destruction of Aztecs:
European Invasion
Local Alliances
Disease